Consultant cardiologist and arterial catheterization specialist Dr. Khalid Al-Nimr has identified the medical conditions that actually require taking multivitamin supplements, warning against the common belief that exceeding the age of 40 alone is sufficient justification for taking them.

Dr. Al-Nimr explained that taking these supplements is only recommended in the following cases:

1. Confirmed deficiency by laboratory tests.

2. Malabsorption diseases, such as celiac disease and Crohn's disease.

3. After bariatric surgery or removal of part of the intestine.

4. Vegetarians, especially regarding vitamin B12.

5. Pregnancy or planning for it, as folic acid, iron, and vitamin D are recommended.

6. Patients on dialysis and some liver diseases.

7. Those taking medications that cause deficiency of certain vitamins, such as metformin and acid reflux medications like omeprazole and pantoprazole, which may affect the absorption of magnesium, iron, vitamin B12, and calcium.

8. Alcoholics.

9. Elderly people who suffer from malnutrition and do not eat a varied diet.

Dr. Al-Nimr stressed that taking dietary supplements without a real medical need is not beneficial, but may even burden the body in some cases, calling for consulting a doctor before taking any dietary supplement.